Kinetics of methyl tertiary butyl ether synthesis catalyzed by ion exchange resin

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the kinetics of liquid phase reaction between methanol and isobutene, catalyzed by an acidic ion‐exchange resin, to form methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). A one litre Parr batch reactor was used. Experiments were carried out at 70, 80, 90 and 100°C and at pressures sufficient to maintain liquid phase at those temperatures. Initial methanol/isobutene mole ratios of 1.0 and 2.0 were used. The catalyst amount was also varied. These kinetic data were used to model the reaction kinetics, by non‐linear least squares regression technique. The reaction was found to follow Rideal‐Eley kinetics. The values of the rate constants are reported.